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I finally got a vette I've wanted since a little kid. It's a 79 L48. New to all this. If I remove the air cleaner and put on one without those 2 "duck bills" I'm assuming I would have to plug the vacuum lines that go into it? And how will that affect anything? Again, new to all this. Will removing the cat give any more power? Car is stock, I think, although there's an Edelbrock intake. The guy I bought it from didn't really know what his uncle did to the car.
Welcome to the forums. Above all, these forums LOVE to see pictures of new members rides so post a few when you get a chance.
How many miles are on the car? Edelbrock intake with the original quadrajet carb or something else?
Yes. Replacing your air cleaner will require the vacuum lines to be plugged. Its unlikely that will add much in terms of performance but its not nothing. If that car was mine, I would also toss the cat.
I agree, getting rid of the catalytic converter will definitely get you more power, but a true dual exhaust like the one linked above will get you even more as well as a better sound out of the rear.
The dual snorkel air cleaner you’re describing is probably the best performing unit to ever come on a C3 as far as directing cool outside air to the carb instead of hot engine bay air. That being said I quite enjoy the look of an open element, and run one on my ‘76.
The stock air cleaner should have a hot air stove that opens when the car gets up to temperature. This was to help the car warm up faster when being driven in winter conditions. Since (I hope) you don’t plan on driving the car in the snow it shouldn’t be an issue to remove the associated vacuum lines as well as the tube going to the exhaust manifold.
The factory air cleaner also has a crankcase vent to be going to the passenger side valve cover. You can modify it to go to your new air cleaner, or use a push in valve cover breather like most people do.
Post some more pictures of your car and engine bay! There’s some very knowledgeable people on here who might be able to tell you more things about the modifications made to the car as well as anything to look out for.
Speaking of duals. I don't have any of the flex hose (which I've seen online) but the plastic piece that they connect to is missing as well. So right now it's only taking in engine bay air. I've been looking online for those pieces but not sure where to get them. Any suggestions?
Welcome to the forum! Just enjoy your car. Changing the air filter really won't make a big difference one way or the other on a L48. Do as you wish!
A good exhaust system? Now that's HUGE!
Yes, it has the Edelbrock w/the quadrajet. IT has 78,000 miles. I think I will keep the air cleaner as I've read a lot. Ditch the cat.
The factory dual snorkle unit and the airbox that goes with it on top of the rad is the best performing air cleaner unit for these cars albeit a bit ugly.....the L-82 had a chrome lid.
This air cleaner, you carb and Edelbrock intake will support up to 400hp......pull an cap the vacuum line line going to the cans.....they go to a distribution tee on the water neck. All of that **** can be removed and don't worry about the flex tubes....they were to help the car warm up faster.....which is questionable.....it only made it think it was warmed up.....
As mentioned......besides putting a real timing curve in the distributor and setting proper timing.....there is no singular mod more effective for you at this point than long tube headers and true duals......the curve and the exhaust alone will pickup 25-30hp above 3000rpm.......and the engine will run cooler and more responsive.
Drop in a lower temperature thermostat for summer driving..
That dual snorkel may support 400 horsepower but is still a restriction over a large open element unit.until the engine has all the air it needs. A couple degrees cooler air from the snorkel won't make much difference . At some point the factory unit won't keep up. So use what you want. And the best c3 cold air system is the 68 &69 L-88 cars.
Speaking of duals. I don't have any of the flex hose (which I've seen online) but the plastic piece that they connect to is missing as well. So right now it's only taking in engine bay air. I've been looking online for those pieces but not sure where to get them. Any suggestions?
Air cleaner center duct over radiator only on Ebay
Some pics. Can anyone tell me what the thing is in the last picture. I bought a new one but it seems "shorter" than the old one. Someone told me that this is for when you use the air conditioner it will "pop out" giving it a little more throttle to make up for the power usage of air conditioner. I can't find any info on this and what it exaclty is for.
removing stock air cleaner
